One-goal record: Spain reduce Italy and continue their impeccable performance in the European Cup

In the Euro 2024 calendar, June 20 was marked by a highlight, as the most stellar duel of the group stage was scheduled: Spain versus Italy. Two historic rivals, at the crossroads of powers and contenders to reach the final stages of a championship which leaves no respite. In Gelsenkirchen, it was a score for the reds, even if the scoreboard only indicates 1-0. It had to be for more.

Both arrived with victories from day one, although with different feelings. In the case of the Iberians, they had a more than favorable start against Croatia, both due to the expressiveness of the result (3-0) and the work on the field. For his part, the Azurra He also won his debut, but with more reservations against Albania. Having a more than positive first half, they did not repeat it in the second half and ended up suffering from the push of the Albanians, the weakest in zone B.

For the fifth consecutive European Championship, the Spaniards and Italians faced each other. They arrived in Germany evenly matched, as there were two celebrations for each, including penalties. Thus, the home of Schalke 04 served as the tiebreaker. And the duel was absolutely favorable to the European Reds. It was a magazine to keep in the library, something unthinkable due to the context and the Azurra by Luciano Spalletti bets on a different type of football, with good footing and a quick start. But he could do nothing against a Spain which put all its capabilities on the table.

Coach Luis De la Fuente only touched the defense, with Laporte coming on in place of Nacho. He maintained the rest of the structure that beat Croatia. Playing this way, no major engineering was required. From the beginning, the Hispanics took control of the actions and reduced the transalpines to a minimum, that they could not leave their ranch and create a risk for guard Unai Simón. The first warning came after two minutes, with Pedri’s header caught by Donnarumma.

Spain’s careful management brought Italy into its domain. Up front, Nico Williams was wreaking havoc on the left side of the attack, making fullback Di Lorenzo dizzy with every stride. The Athletic Bilbao striker is pure electricity. The Italians’ support was their goalkeeper, responsible for the goalless score in the first half. Morata and Fabián Ruiz were close to finding the first. The opponent did not build, he only endured the pressure. If the first half had ended 3-0, no one would have been surprised.

The superiority exercised by Spain was notorious, but it failed to find the goal. This was what was missing to complete the perfect loop. And fortunately the goal came. This happened in the 54th minute, after Nico Williams’s umpteenth knockdown of Di Lorenzo. The cross sent by the figure of the match is connected by the defender Calafiori, who scores with his own goal. The defender takes the advantage and scores against his side.

With a little less intensity, the Spaniards continued to outnumber the Italians who tried to go further. The risk was exposed behind. In the 70th minute, Nico Williams almost made it 2-0 with a powerful shot that hit the crossbar. The Basque took center stage for his great performance.

As the end approached, Spalletti’s leaders showed a reaction, but a very lukewarm one. This was not enough to call into question the victory of the Spanish team. With six points in two games, the Reds of Europe secure their place in the round of 16. They will close the group against Albania next Monday. Meanwhile, Croatia and Italy will play a final.